• DecentKeyboards

I want some wireless ones because my desk is getting too cluttered and it's hard to route the cables.

Notes in child pages

Criteria

• Wireless
  • RF or Bluetooth is fine

• Willing to compromise and use a less-than-100% layout, I've determined that I don't need all the keys so I wouldn't be as annoyed as I initially thought

  • Volume controls or easy macro combos for Vol Up/Down
  • Can live without Fn keys as long as they can be macro'd like a Macbook
  • Caps Lock still useless
  • RAlt/RWin/Menu/RCtrl not needed, or can be remapped for stuff I do need
  • Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn still used a fair bit, all of them
  • Tilde used a fair bit, which makes a 65% layout a bit iffy

Options

Dealing with smaller layouts

I think I could make 65% work with not too many compromises.

• Tilde moves to Caps Lock
• Ins shares the key with Del, via Fn

• Home/End shared with PgUp/PgDn, via Fn

• Bind F1-F12 to number row, via Fn

• R-Alt, R-Ctrl, R-Shift can be used as extra modifiers, for macros, or extra keys such as PrtSc and Pause/Brk

Keycaps

• I really like the retro look of ASA keycap shape, with big central legends. The 3068B and 3098B come with that natively
• If I got the K8 Pro then I'd consider changing out the caps. They're not bad, but I want bolder, more retro. Something like these Akko sets:

  • $80 Retro b/w/orange, unfortunately the high-profile shape is out of stock: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/57978/akko-carbon-retro-pbt-keycaps-asa-low-profile-155-keys

  • $60 Black/cyan, looks perfect but I'd prefer a red theme: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/57406/akko-black-and-cyan-pbt-keycaps-asa-197-keys

  • $90 Red/black, I bought this one: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/57974/akko-bred-pbt-keycaps-asa-158-keys

Switches

• I want to try linear switches now. No specific opinions on weight, coming from generic MX Browns and Blues on current keyboards (TUF Gaming K7, 50g clicky switches)
• K8 Pro has Gateron Reds (hotswap)
• K10 has Gateron Browns (hotswap)
• PC75B has Akko Wine Red (linear, 45g, 1.6mm, 3.6mm)
• 3098B has Akko Jelly White (linear, 35g, 1.9mm, 4.0mm)
• 3068B has Akko Jelly Pink (linear, 45g, 1.9mm, 4.0mm)

What I bought

I got the Keychron K8 Pro for my windows desktop, it's great so far.

• Linear keycaps are pretty okay, but I think I'd still like a tactile bump
• Because of the uncertainty of actuation with the linear switch, I feel like a lighter keyweight could also help
• The smoothness is amazing, and this is much quieter than the Logitech G710+ it replaces
• I was right about not needing the full board, TKL layout is fine. Still kinda weird entering my Windows unlock PIN with the number row though
• Didn't realise that it only has bluetooth and not RF. This is not so bad, and the pairing has been flawless, but my mobo's onboard BT radio can't wake the PC from sleep which is moronic

I've ordered some more switches and keycaps to try out:

• Black-red keycaps:

• Akko CS Lavender Purple switches, enough lightweight (36g) tactile switches for the whole board: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/57415/akko-cs-lavender-purple-switches-45-pack-lubricated

• Akko CS Vintage White switches, lightweight (25g) linear switches just to try out, because they're on sale: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/54994/akko-cs-vintage-white-switches-45-pack

What I'm thinking of buying

I'd like a wireless keyboard for my linux workstation as well. Similar criteria, wireless and remappable with hotswappable switches.

• Akko 3084B Plus, $150: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/58503/akko-3084b-plus-black-gold-rgb-hot-swap-wireless-cs-jelly-purple

  • 75% layout/85-keys
  • The gold-on-grey markings look like perfection to me
  • Cramped layout
  • CS Jelly Purples are 40g tactile switches

• Akko PC75B Plus, $190: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/59901/akko-pc75b-plus-black-gold-wireless-rgb-hot-swap-wine-red

  • 75% layout/82-keys plus knob
  • Same excellent gold-on-grey markings

  • Lovely non-cramped layout, but elides PrtSc and PsBrk in favour of a volume knob. I do like a volume knob, but those two extra keys would be nice as well!

  • CS Crystal Wine Reds are 45g linear switches with shorter 1.6mm/3.6mm travel

• Akko PC75B Plus Year of Tiger, $190: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/58523/akko-pc75b-plus-year-of-tiger-wireless-rgb-hot-swap-jelly-purple

  • Same as the previous one
  • Yes it's hella gaudy
  • But actually... I really like the red case, and the keycaps could always be flipped out for something more cohesive
    • The paper-yellow actually works really well with the Chinese red colour

    • Chicago theme could suit it..? The reds wouldn't match though: https://en.akkogear.com/product/chicago-keycap-set-158-key/

  • CS Jelly Purples are 40g tactile switches
  • The JDA keycap profile is quite similar to OSA, which is the stock keycaps on the K8 Pro and I'm happy with them

The closest thing to the black-and-gold keycaps, because the standalone packs seem to be sold out, is these black-and-bronze ones: https://en.akkogear.com/product/black-bronze-keycap-set-158-key/